Review calls for end to traffic 'fiefdoms'
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by Nicky Clarke • Hauliers could save more than Lim a year and receive better enforcement if the Government accepts a DOT-commissioned report which proposes a single Traffic Commissioner in place of seven and closing two of the eight traffic area offices.
The Traffic Area Network Review was published last week by Stephen Curtis, head of Traffic Area Network Scrutiny Team. It says that hauliers' licensing administration costs could be cut by more than Lim by its proposals—which also include 107 redundancies among traffic area office staff; improved computerisation, linking offices to the Vehicle Inspectorate; and moves against unlicensed operators. This would free "substantial sums within existing fee levels", it says, which could be made "available to finance more extensive enforcement".
Describing the licensing system as "eight separate fiefdoms", the report says the network is putting too great a burden on operators.
The single Traffic Commissioner would be supported in each area by a "regional Licensing Authority" who would have the full powers of a deputy.
The main role of the Commissioner would be to "promulgate standards and guidelines to enable these decisions to be taken consistently and efficiently". Curtis adds: "There is continuing concern that Commissioners may not be tough enough in the decisions they take."
Inconsistency between traffic commissioners' decisions and between offices results in the lowering of public confidence, he says. The review aims to counter this problem by: • Introducing guidelines similar to the Magistrates' Association Sentencing Guidelines for the conduct of public inquiries; • Training Licensing Authorities and deputies; • Setting up an annual Commissioner's review to see that guidelines and standards are observed.